Chapter 186: Smooth
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“The names and backgrounds in the story are entirely different from reality. We believed that spreading this fabricated tale wouldn’t harm the reputation of the Marquis Mansion. That’s why we dared to take this approach..
“All we wanted was to use this story as a deterrent to scare away the person who framed my husband. This way, he could attain the status of a Cultivated Talent without having to toil for ten years in intense study.”
“Old Lady, I apologize for not discussing this with you beforehand…”
Concerned for Qin Zhenzhen, Old Lady comfortingly patted her daughter’s hands and reassured her, “Alright, alright, no need to scare the girl.”
Then, addressing Oin Zhenzhen kindly, she continued, “Miss Qin, don’t be afraid. Truthfully, upon hearing the story from the storyteller, I too have started to suspect Su Bin’s father’s identity.”
“Especially because both families share the surname Su.”
“Do you know if Su Bin possesses any tokens or items left by his father?”
Upon realizing that Old Lady didn’t blame her, Qin Zhenzhen felt a sense of relief and proceeded to share the information.
“My late father-in-law left behind two jade pendants. One was given to my Second Brother-in-law, but he ended up selling it. The other one is currently in my husband’s possession.”
“I have seen the jade pendant, but I couldn’t spot any distinctive markings.
However, I could tell it is of significant value.”
Old Lady’s curiosity was piqued, and she inquired further, “Did you bring them here? If you did, please show them to me. I can discern at a glance if the jade is of any worth.”
Before marrying, Old Lady was an officer’s daughter from the capital, and her family held considerable influence, possessing numerous precious belongings. She had a keen eye and might be able to ascertain if the jade had any connection to the Marquis Mansion.
In her younger days, she had fallen for a handsome scholar who came to the capital for examinations, and she eventually married him, the scholar who had been registered in the prefecture.
Later, she took over her husband’s position and settled in the outer city. Subsequently, due to her husband’s transfer to an official position, she temporarily returned to the capital. When her son became an officer in the prefecture, she moved back to the prefecture again.
Though she had relocated, she maintained a strong bond with her best friend in the capital, exchanging letters and staying informed about everything happening there.
She was well aware that the Marquis had dispatched people to search for her eldest son and his wife. If she could locate him before the Marquis did and prevent Su Bin from being framed, it would thwart the Marquis’s plans of making him the heir.
Qin Zhenzhen readily agreed, saying, “Yes, I will go and bring them here.”
However, Old Lady halted her, saying, “Wait, do you know that Su Bin resembles his father?”
Qin Zhenzhen nodded and replied, “My husband mentioned that they share a striking resemblance.”
Old Lady then stood up and declared, “In that case, I will accompany you to meet Su Bin.”
She had encountered the Old Marquis and the Young Master of the Marquis
Mansion on a few occasions, which gave her confidence in her ability to identify whether Su Bin was indeed the Young Master of the Marquis Mansion.
Qin Zhenzhen was elated, not expecting things to progress so smoothly. If Old Lady confirmed Su Bin’s father’s identity as the Marquis Mansion heir, then the truth about Su Bin and the others would soon be revealed.
The Old Marquis would likely dispatch someone to retrieve them promptly.
Accompanied by Qin Zhenzhen, Old Lady headed to the study. Upon seeing Su Bin, any lingering doubts vanished from her mind.
Examining Su Bin’s jade pendant, Old Lady recognized it as belonging to the Marquis Mansion.
Once Qin Zhenzhen and Su Bin had departed, Old Lady informed her son, “I am certain now that Su Bin’s father is the son of the Marquis Mansion who ran away from home.”
“It is undoubtedly the Madame of the Marquis Mansion who seeks to destroy Su Bin’s future.”
“Miss Qin and Young Master Su are both clever individuals. The Madame of the Marquis Mansion wouldn’t dare to take further actions with the teahouse story.”
“The predicament lies in whether we should offer assistance to Miss Qin and the others..”